Free The Other Half of My Soul by Bahia Abrams

color. The room began to spin. Get hold of yourself. Do not let Yousef see weakness. “I do not know. You tell me.”
    Yousef’s face stiffened and his voice turned sharp. “Do not challenge me, Rami. Those who do meet unfortunate outcomes. Now, tell the group what you know.”
    Rami looked defiantly into Yousef’s eyes. He searched the faces of the others in the room. Next to him, his gaze fell upon Omar. Omar looked away. Standing alone with all eyes on him, Rami felt like a meal for a group of vultures about to swoop down on him. Several times, he cleared his throat. He gulped once, then again more strongly, before proceeding. Providing an account of Professor Nolan’s very first lecture on the oil-eating bacteria, Rami was careful about not revealing Rayna’s name.
    “Tell us about the assignment Nolan gave you.”
    Guarding Rayna’s role, Rami responded, “I had to analyze the positive and negative ramifications of the bacteria. My report is on the computer if you want a copy.”
    “Yes. By all means. Be sure I receive it.”
    Instantly, Rami regretted making the offer.
    “Now, I will tell you all about the infamous Doctor Nolan,” Yousef gloated confidently. “Doctor Quintin Nolan was a chemist long before he became a philosopher. After working twenty-one years for Bryson Research, he was forced to resign. Top management in the multi-billion-dollar corporation did not approve the funds he needed to pursue research on bacteria that would very quickly and effortlessly eradicate oil spills. Western conglomerates that have been making millions on oil cleanups lobbied heavily for Bryson not to take this direction. Bowing to pressure and American government enticements that would sway more business in its direction, Bryson backed off and forced Nolan out. To keep Nolan from talking, they offered him a substantial severance package with strict conditions. Nolan used those funds to secretly pursue his obsession. However, six years ago, the good doctor ran low on funds and had to stop the project. For a while, it looked like he would give up entirely. He pursued a doctorate in philosophy and secured a teaching position at the University of Maryland.” Yousef paused when someone handed him a glass of water. “Now, for whatever reason, Nolan is searching for backers. He wants to raise cash and complete the project. We’re going to provide him with what he needs to succeed. And we must reach him before anyone else does.” Maintaining his focus on Rami, Yousef went on, “Nolan is fifty-two and divorced. The breakup of his marriage hit him hard. He has one daughter, Anna, who attends Princeton University in New Jersey. The two are very close.”
    It unsettled Rami to know just how much Yousef could find out about a person. The thought of his own life being so exposed unnerved him. He worried about Rayna. How much does Yousef know about her? Does he know she is Jewish? Rami vowed to always protect her from harm.
    “This is your first assignment, Rami. If you do nothing else, delivering the bacteria into our hands will be your major contribution to the spread of Islam. We will provide you with money and with whatever else you need. In your next life, Allah will reward you greatly.”
    Rami did not want to live for the next life. He wanted to live for this life, the life he knew. He mumbled, “Why do you hide behind Allah to brainwash others into doing your bidding?”
    “Speak up. If you have something to say, let us all hear it.”
    Rayna’s voice pierced Rami’s consciousness: Do not let your strength and courage be wasted. Find what you need and use it. Courageously, Rami stood up and looked Yousef straight in the eyes. With the sagacity of a great warrior, Rami boldly asserted, “I am not flattered by your motive for selecting me to do this job. However, I will deliver the bacteria into your hands. In six months . . . in six years . . . however long it takes. You said Muslims are patient people. I assume that